Hawaii Flooding Disrupts Travel Across the Islands — What to Know Now and How to Help

HONOLULU – A powerful kona low weather system struck Hawaii in late March 2026, triggering catastrophic Hawaii flooding that has closed attractions, washed out roads, and displaced hundreds of residents across multiple islands, most severely on Oahu’s North Shore.

Governor Josh Green has reported that storm damage now totals at least $1 billion, making this one of the costliest weather events in state history. The storm follows an unusually wet period that began in February, leaving the ground heavily saturated and rivers swollen well beyond normal levels.

Is It Still Safe to Travel to Hawaii Right Now?

The short answer is yes, with awareness. The Hawaii Tourism Authority confirmed on March 24, 2026 that there is no reason to cancel or postpone upcoming travel to Hawaii, and that most hotels and visitor services remain operational statewide.

Conditions are actively improving, and forecasters expect the storm system to exit the region entirely by Wednesday, March 25. Sunshine was already returning to Oahu and Kauai as of Monday.

That said, travelers should arrive prepared. Road closures are still in place across multiple islands, some popular attractions remain shut, and brown water advisories are active statewide.

The key is to check conditions before you leave your accommodation each day, not just before you fly.

Flood Damage by Island: What’s Closed and What’s Open

Oahu

Oahu bore some of the hardest hits from the Hawaii flooding, particularly along the North Shore and in the Manoa Valley, where homes were damaged or destroyed.

Hundreds of residents were displaced, and thousands were urged to evacuate.

Recovery crews are still actively working in these areas, and travelers are asked to give them space.

Several well-known Honolulu-area attractions remain temporarily closed as of March 24, including Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, the Honolulu Zoo, Waimea Valley (expected to reopen March 25), CLIMB Works Keana Farms, Kualoa Luau, and Kahuku Farms (expected to reopen March 26).

Most businesses in Waikiki and central Honolulu are open and operating normally.

Maui

Maui is still experiencing weather impacts, with a Flood Watch in effect through 6 p.m. on March 24.

Road to Hana (Route 360) has reopened from Twin Falls to Hana, but only local traffic is permitted through the Hana section.

Travelers should check the Maui County Road Closure Notifications page before driving anywhere on the island’s eastern side.

Haleakala National Park remains closed until further notice due to road repairs.

Waianapanapa State Park and Iao Valley State Monument are both closed through March 30.

Flights to Kapalua Airport may also be affected, so contact your airline directly.

Hawaii Island (Big Island)

A Flood Watch remains in effect for Hawaii Island through late Tuesday night. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has partially reopened, with access restored to the Kilauea summit area and Chain of Craters Road, though additional areas remain closed during cleanup. Greenwell Farms is also temporarily closed.

Kauai

Kauai is seeing the most significant improvement of all the islands, and conditions there are largely returning to normal.

Visitors with plans on Kauai can generally proceed as planned, with standard caution around waterways and low-lying roads.

Record Rainfall: How Historic Has This Storm Been?

The New York Times reports that Hana, on Maui’s eastern coast, has recorded over 40 inches of rain since February 1, 2026, the highest total ever measured in that time span.

Meanwhile, the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu has logged nearly 16 inches of rain, its fourth-rainiest stretch on record since 1941.

The National Weather Service says this has been one of the state’s rainiest periods in recent memory, driven by back-to-back storm systems throughout February and March.

Watch Out for Flood-Related Scams

In the wake of the disaster, Hawaii police are warning both residents and visitors about a surge in phone scams.

In one confirmed case, a victim lost nearly $200,000 after scammers impersonated federal officials and used a spoofed Hawaii Police Department phone number to pressure the victim into wiring funds. Hawaii News Now reports that callers often use high-pressure tactics and fake credentials.

Never wire money or share financial information with anyone you cannot independently verify. If you want to help, use only the verified organizations listed in the hub below.

How to Help Hawaii Flood Victims: A Verified Resource Guide

Every organization below was manually checked on March 25, 2026. All links are active and donations go directly to verified 501©(3) nonprofits or established disaster relief programs currently operating in Hawaii.

The communities hit by Hawaii flooding need real, sustained support, and with scammers actively exploiting the disaster, it matters that you give through the right channels.

Whether you want to donate money, give supplies, or volunteer your time, here are the vetted ways to help.

Donate Money

These organizations have active, disaster-specific donation pages confirmed live as of March 25, 2026:

• American Red Cross – Hawaii Storms and Floods – The Red Cross has a dedicated disaster relief page specifically for the 2026 Hawaii storms and is actively deploying volunteers across the state.As a federally recognized 501©(3) (EIN: 53-0196605), your donation is tax-deductible. They are also seeking volunteers for on-the-ground storm response.
• The Salvation Army Hawaii – Kona Low Disaster Relief – The Salvation Army Hawaii and Pacific Islands Division has been serving the islands for over 130 years and is confirmed on the ground right now providing meals, essential supplies, and spiritual care to displaced families. Their campaign page is live and storm-specific.
• Hawaii Community Foundation – Stronger Hawaii Fund – This statewide disaster fund is already distributing grants to local nonprofits across all counties. As of March 24, they have made confirmed awards to organizations on Oahu, Maui, Molokai, and Hawaii Island. Donations move quickly and flexibly to where the need is greatest.
• Aloha United Way – AUW is operating a dedicated help call and text line for flooding victims, connecting displaced families with local resources. With a 100-year track record in Hawaii and a confirmed active disaster response, this is a trusted channel for community-level support.
• Hawaii Food Bank – Flood Relief Fund – As a Feeding America affiliate, the Hawaii Food Bank stretches every dollar: a $10 donation provides more than 20 meals. They are holding active flood-relief food distributions across Oahu as recently as March 25, 2026, including sites in Waialua and other flood-impacted communities. They are also accepting volunteers.
• Mercy Chefs – Hawaii Flood 2026 – Mercy Chefs has deployed to Oahu and served its first hot meals on the ground on March 24, 2026, confirmed on their disaster relief page. For just $3.50, you can fund one hot meal for a displaced family, first responder, or volunteer. Their page is live and storm-specific.
• LaHui Foundation – Post-Flood Recovery – A community-led Hawaii nonprofit mobilizing cleanup crews and coordinating supply distribution from Kahuku Elementary School on Oahu’s North Shore. They are also accepting in-person supply donations and volunteers.
• 808 Cleanups – Donation Fund – A Hawaii-based environmental nonprofit now coordinating volunteer flood cleanup efforts across impacted areas. Donations fund supplies, equipment, and on-the-ground operations. You can also sign up directly to volunteer through their events calendar.

Donate Supplies

If you prefer to give physical items rather than money, the LaHui Foundation is accepting recovery supplies (no household items) at Kahuku Elementary School (56-170 Pualalea St.) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check their Facebook page for the most current accepted items list before dropping anything off.

Volunteer Your Time

If you are already on the ground in Hawaii or planning to be there soon, your hands are just as valuable as a donation:

• American Red Cross is actively recruiting volunteers for storm response across the islands.
• LaHui Foundation has an open volunteer signup form for cleanup crews.
• Hawaii Food Bank has volunteer shifts available at their warehouse and in the community.
• 808 Cleanups is scheduling volunteer cleanup events across affected neighborhoods. Check their calendar for dates near you.
• Mercy Chefs has a volunteer sign-up form on their Hawaii flood page for anyone who wants to help prepare and serve meals.

A Note on Donation Safety

With nearly $200,000 already stolen in at least one confirmed flood-related scam, please protect yourself and your generosity.

Always donate directly through an organization’s official website, not through links sent via text, social media DMs, or unsolicited phone calls.

If someone calls asking you to wire money for disaster relief, hang up.

Every organization listed above has been independently verified by the Hawaii’s Best Travel editorial team as of March 25, 2026.

Brown Water Advisory: Stay Out of the Ocean for Now

Active brown water advisories cover all four major islands as of March 24.

Heavy rainfall flushes bacteria, debris, and runoff from land into nearshore waters, making the ocean unsafe for swimming.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority advises waiting 48 to 72 hours after rain stops before entering the water, and avoiding any area where the ocean looks brown or murky.

This applies to streams and drainage ditches as well, since even those that appear dry can flash flood rapidly.

Traveler Tip: What This Means for Your Hawaii Trip

If you are traveling to Hawaii this week, keep your plans but build in flexibility. Conditions are improving daily, and the worst of the storm is behind the islands.

Before heading out each day, check weather.gov/hfo for the latest alerts, confirm your activity and attraction bookings directly with providers, and allow extra time at the airport (at least 3 hours for transpacific flights).

Downloading the GoHawaii app and enabling push notifications is the fastest way to get real-time updates as recovery continues.

Most importantly, travel with the spirit of aloha. The communities you are visiting are resilient, and your presence and spending genuinely helps local businesses and workers recover faster.

And if you are moved to do a little more, even a $10 donation to the Hawaii Food Bank before you board your flight puts 20 meals on someone’s table tonight.

Last updated: March 25, 2026. This article will be refreshed as conditions change. For the most current island-by-island status, visit gohawaii.com/kona-low-alert.

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